Twinning Agrifood - Strengthening sector monitoring, data management and payment administration

The Agrifood Twinning project focuses on enhancing Moldova's agriculture sector by aligning it with EU standards, particularly in compliance with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The initiative is led by a consortium from Estonia and the Netherlands and targets the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) and the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA). The project plays a vital role in modernizing the performance of agricultural administration in the Republic of Moldova, as a basis for a competitive, transparent agricultural sector aligned with European standards.

Component 1 (Result 1): Strengthened capacity of the MAFI for enhanced sector monitoring and evaluation and developing elements towards an Integrated Administration and Control System – IACS (e-governance).

Component 2: (Result 2) – Institutional and administrative capacity of the Agency for interventions and payment in agriculture (AIPA) towards an EU-like paying agency strengthened.

The overall objective of the project is to support the Republic of Moldova in aligning its agricultural sector with EU standards by strengthening the institutional and administrative capacity of the MAFI and AIPA. This will facilitate the efficient implementation of agricultural policies, improve financial management, and enhance compliance with EU requirements.

Specific objectives:

• Improve the legal and organizational framework of MAFI and AIPA to align with EU standards and best practices.

• Strengthen MAFI’s capacity to implement and monitor agricultural and rural development policies effectively.

• Enhance AIPA’s administrative and operational capacity to manage financial interventions and payment schemes in compliance with EU accreditation criteria.

• Develop data integration and digital tools to improve decision-making, transparency, and efficiency in agricultural governance.

• Establish mechanisms for fraud prevention, risk management, and compliance with international information security standards (ISO).

Beneficiaries:
• Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) of the Republic of Moldova
• Intervention and Payment Agency for Agriculture (AIPA)

Budget: EUR 900,000
Project duration: 01.02.2025 – 31.01.2027

Implementing Bodies:
• Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV)
• Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)

Partners:
The consortium consists of:
• Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) – Lead Partner
• Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture of Estonia
• Agricultural Registers and Information Board (ARIB)
• Estonian Centre for Rural Research and Knowledge (METK)
• Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) – Secondary Partner